Low profile fan platform attachment

ABSTRACT

A platform for a fan of a gas turbine engine includes a body portion, a forward flange at a front of the body portion that includes an engagement feature that interacts with a forward flange of a lug of a hub of a fan of a gas turbine engine, and a pin integral with a rear portion of the body portion. The pin is receivable in an aperture in a rear flange of the lug.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application61/765,199 filed Feb. 15, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fan spacer platforms are located between fan blades to create a smoothsurface to direct air to the low pressure compressor. A fan spacerplatform is usually integral with a fan blade or radially constrained toa hub by a separate single pin that passes through devises on the fanspacer platform. A geared turbofan gas turbine engine is small, creatingspacial constraints, and it is difficult to employ a fan spacer platformthat is integral with the fan blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A platform for a fan of a gas turbine engine according to an exemplaryembodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes abody portion, a forward flange at a front of the body portion thatincludes an engagement feature that interacts with a forward flange of alug of a hub of a fan of a gas turbine engine, and a pin integral with arear portion of the body portion. The pin is receivable in an aperturein a rear flange of the lug.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing platforms, the platformis made of a graphic fiber epoxy composite.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing platforms, theengagement feature of the forward flange is a pin integral with theforward flange.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing platforms, theengagement feature of the forward flange is a projection that issubstantially perpendicular to the forward flange.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing platforms, the pin ismade of metal.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing platforms, the pin andbody portion are co-molded.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing platforms, the bodyportion of the platform includes a radially inner surface including anelongated protruding portion that is receivable in an elongated trenchon a radial outer surface of the lug, and the pin is integral with theelongated protruding portion.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing platforms, the bodyportion of the platform includes a radially inner surface including aforward elongated protruding portion and a rear elongated protrudingportion separated by a space that are receivable in a forward elongatedtrench and a rear elongated trench, respectively, on a radially outersurface of the lug.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing platforms, the pin isintegral with the rear elongated protruding portion and an another pinis integral with the forward elongated protruding portion, and theanother pin is receivable in an aperture of a radially outwardlyprojecting lug located between the forward elongated trench and a rearelongated trench of the lug.

A fan of a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary embodiment ofthis disclosure, among other possible things includes a hub including aplurality of slots and a plurality of lugs, wherein each of theplurality of lugs includes a forward flange and a rear flange, and therear flange includes an aperture, a plurality of fan blades, one of theplurality of fan blades is received in each of the plurality of slots ofthe hub, a plurality of platforms, each of the plurality of platforms isattached to one of the plurality of lugs, and each of the plurality ofplatforms includes a body portion, a forward flange at a front of thebody portion including an engagement feature that interacts with theforward flange of one of the plurality of lugs, and a pin integral witha rear portion of the body portion that is received in the aperture inthe rear flange of the one of the plurality of lugs.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, the plurality oflugs are integral with the hub.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, the plurality ofplatforms are made of a graphic fiber epoxy composite.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, the engagementfeature of the forward flange of each of the plurality of platforms is apin integral with the forward flange.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, the engagementfeature of the forward flange of each of the plurality of platforms is aprojection that is substantially perpendicular to the forward flange.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, the pin of each ofthe plurality of platforms is made of metal.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, the pin and thebody portion of each of the plurality of platforms are co-molded.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, each of theplurality of lugs includes a radial outer surface having an elongatedtrench and each of the plurality of platforms includes a radially innersurface having an elongated protruding portion that is receivable in theelongated trench, and the pin of each of the plurality of platforms isintegral with the elongated protruding portion.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, each of theplurality of lugs includes a radial outer surface having a frontelongated trench and a rear elongated trench and each of the pluralityof platforms includes a radially inner surface having a front elongatedprotruding portion and a rear elongated protruding portion separated bya space and that are received in the front elongated trench and the rearelongated trench, respectively.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, each of theplurality of platforms includes another pin, and the pin of each of theplurality of platforms is integral with the rear elongated protrudingportion and the another pin is integral with the forward elongatedprotruding portion, and the another pin is received in an aperture of aradially outwardly projecting lug located between the forward elongatedtrench and the rear elongated trench of the lug and received in thespace between front elongated protruding portion and a rear elongatedprotruding portion.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fans, includes a spinnerattached to a forward end of the hub to axially retain the plurality ofplatforms.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, the following of which isa brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of a gas turbineengine;

FIG. 2 illustrates a hub of a fan including a first embodiment lug;

FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment platform;

FIG. 4 illustrates the installation of the platform of FIG. 3 on the hubof FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates the installed platform of FIG. 3 on the hub of FIG.2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a hub of a fan including a second embodiment lug;

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment platform;

FIG. 8 illustrates the installation of the platform of FIG. 7 on the hubof FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 illustrates the installed platform of FIG. 7 on the hub of FIG.6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example gas turbine engine 20 thatincludes a fan section 22, a compressor section 24, a combustor section26 and a turbine section 28. Alternative engines might include anaugmenter section (not shown) among other systems or features. The fansection 22 drives air along a bypass flow path B while the compressorsection 24 draws air in along a core flow path C where air is compressedand communicated to the combustor section 26. In the combustor section26, air is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high pressureexhaust gas stream that expands through the turbine section 28 whereenergy is extracted and utilized to drive the fan section 22 and thecompressor section 24.

Although the disclosed non-limiting embodiment depicts a geared turbofangas turbine engine, it should be understood that the concepts describedherein are not limited to use with geared turbofans as the teachings maybe applied to other types of traditional turbine engines. For example,the gas turbine engine 20 can have a three-spool architecture in whichthree spools concentrically rotate about a common axis and where a lowspool enables a low pressure turbine to drive a fan via a gearbox, anintermediate spool that enables an intermediate pressure turbine todrive a first compressor of the compressor section, and a high spoolthat enables a high pressure turbine to drive a high pressure compressorof the compressor section.

The example gas turbine engine 20 generally includes a low speed spool30 and a high speed spool 32 mounted for rotation about an enginecentral longitudinal axis A relative to an engine static structure 36via several bearing systems 38. It should be understood that variousbearing systems 38 at various locations may alternatively oradditionally be provided.

The low speed spool 30 generally includes an inner shaft 40 thatconnects a fan 42 and a low pressure (or first) compressor 44 to a lowpressure (or first) turbine 46. The inner shaft 40 drives the fan 42through a speed change device, such as a geared architecture 48, todrive the fan 42 at a lower speed than the low speed spool 30. Thehigh-speed spool 32 includes an outer shaft 50 that interconnects a highpressure (or second) compressor 52 and a high pressure (or second)turbine 54. The inner shaft 40 and the outer shaft 50 are concentric androtate via the bearing systems 38 about the engine central longitudinalaxis A.

A combustor 56 is arranged between the high pressure compressor 52 andthe high pressure turbine 54. In one example, the high pressure turbine54 includes at least two stages to provide a double stage high pressureturbine 54. In another example, the high pressure turbine 54 includesonly a single stage. As used herein, a “high pressure” compressor orturbine experiences a higher pressure than a corresponding “lowpressure” compressor or turbine.

The example low pressure turbine 46 has a pressure ratio that is greaterthan about 5. The pressure ratio of the example low pressure turbine 46is measured prior to an inlet of the low pressure turbine 46 as relatedto the pressure measured at the outlet of the low pressure turbine 46prior to an exhaust nozzle.

A mid-turbine frame 58 of the engine static structure 36 is arrangedgenerally between the high pressure turbine 54 and the low pressureturbine 46. The mid-turbine frame 58 further supports bearing systems 38in the turbine section 28 as well as setting airflow entering the lowpressure turbine 46.

The air in the core flow path C is compressed by the low pressurecompressor 44 then by the high pressure compressor 52 mixed with fueland ignited in the combustor 56 to produce high speed exhaust gases thatare then expanded through the high pressure turbine 54 and low pressureturbine 46. The mid-turbine frame 58 includes vanes 60, which are in thecore flow path C and function as an inlet guide vane for the lowpressure turbine 46. Utilizing the vane 60 of the mid-turbine frame 58as the inlet guide vane for low pressure turbine 46 decreases the lengthof the low pressure turbine 46 without increasing the axial length ofthe mid-turbine frame 58. Reducing or eliminating the number of vanes inthe low pressure turbine 46 shortens the axial length of the turbinesection 28. Thus, the compactness of the gas turbine engine 20 isincreased and a higher power density may be achieved.

The disclosed gas turbine engine 20 in one example is a high-bypassgeared aircraft engine. In a further example, the gas turbine engine 20includes a bypass ratio greater than about six (6), with an exampleembodiment being greater than about ten (10). The example gearedarchitecture 48 is an epicyclical gear train, such as a planetary gearsystem, star gear system or other known gear system, with a gearreduction ratio of greater than about 2.3.

In one disclosed embodiment, the gas turbine engine 20 includes a bypassratio greater than about ten (10:1) and the fan diameter issignificantly larger than an outer diameter of the low pressurecompressor 44. It should be understood, however, that the aboveparameters are only exemplary of one embodiment of a gas turbine engineincluding a geared architecture and that the present disclosure isapplicable to other gas turbine engines.

A significant amount of thrust is provided by the air in the bypass flowpath B due to the high bypass ratio. The fan section 22 of the gasturbine engine 20 is designed for a particular flightcondition—typically cruise at about 0.8 Mach and about 35,000 feet. Theflight condition of 0.8 Mach and 35,000 ft., with the engine at its bestfuel consumption—also known as “bucket cruise Thrust Specific FuelConsumption ('TSFC')”—is the industry standard parameter of pound-mass(lbm) of fuel per hour being burned divided by pound-force (lbf) ofthrust the engine produces at that minimum point.

“Low fan pressure ratio” is the pressure ratio across the fan bladealone, without a Fan Exit Guide Vane (“FEGV”) system. The low fanpressure ratio as disclosed herein according to one non-limitingembodiment is less than about 1.50. In another non-limiting embodimentthe low fan pressure ratio is less than about 1.45.

The example gas turbine engine includes the fan 42 that comprises in onenon-limiting embodiment less than about 26 fan blades 100. In anothernon-limiting embodiment, the fan section 22 includes less than about 20fan blades 100. Moreover, in one disclosed embodiment the low pressureturbine 46 includes no more than about 6 turbine rotors schematicallyindicated at 34. In another non-limiting example embodiment the lowpressure turbine 46 includes about 3 turbine rotors. A ratio between thenumber of fan blades 100 and the number of low pressure turbine rotorsis between about 3.3 and about 8.6. The example low pressure turbine 46provides the driving power to rotate the fan section 22 and thereforethe relationship between the number of turbine rotors 34 in the lowpressure turbine 46 and the number of fan blades 100 in the fan section22 disclose an example gas turbine engine 20 with increased powertransfer efficiency.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment hub 62 of a fan 42. The hub 62includes a plurality of slots 64 located between a plurality of lugs 66that are integral with the hub 62. That is, the plurality of slots 64and the plurality of lugs 66 alternate. Each of the slots 64 receives afan blade 100 (shown in FIG. 5). Once installed, the fan blades 100extend radially about the engine central longitudinal axis A.

A platform 68 (shown in FIG. 3) is attached to each of the lugs 66 in amanner that allows the platform 68 to be located more radially inward,which is beneficial due to the reduced packaging space in the fan 42.Each platform 68 contacts the two adjacent fan blades 100. Together, theplatforms 68 and the fan blades 100 define a smooth, continuous anduninterrupted surface that directs the air to the low pressurecompressor 44. A seal (not shown) can be located between the fan blades100 and the platforms 68 to prevent air from flowing into the hub 62. Inone example, the seal is made of rubber. In another example, the sealincludes a fabric reinforcement. In another example, the seal is made ofsilicone.

Each lug 66 includes a forward flange 70 having at least one aperture 72and a rear flange 74 including an aperture 76. An elongated trench 78 islocated on a radially outer surface 80 of the lug 66 and allows theplatform 68 to be installed more radially inwardly. The elongated trench78 reduces the weight of the lug 66, while still providing enoughstructural material to support the fan blades 100. This allows theplatform 68 to be employed with gas turbine engines 20 having a smallfan diameter. This also allows the flowpath area to be maximized with areduced weight.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment platform 68. The platforms 68 maybe made of a graphite fiber epoxy composite, which reduces the weight.The platform may also be made of any other material that is known in theart. The platform 68 includes a body portion 126 and a forward flange 82including at least one pin 84. The number of at least one pin 84 isequal to the number of at least one aperture 72 in the forward flange 70of the lug 66. In one example, the at least one pin 84 is integral withthe forward flange 82 of the platform 68.

The platform 68 also includes a pin 92 protruding from and attached tothe rear portion 98 of body portion 126 of the platform 68. The pin 92is integral with the body portion 126 of the platform 68. In oneexample, the pin 92 is made of metal. In another example, the pin 92 isa composite. The pin 92 can be molded with the platform 68 orsecondarily bonded. If the pin 92 is molded with the platform 68, thealready manufactured pin 92 is placed in a mold, and the platform 68 isco-molded with the pin 92. The platform 68 and the pin 92 are integralto define a single component. When the platform 68 is installed, the pin92 is received in the aperture 76 in the rear flange 74 of the lug 66.

A radially inner surface 94 of the platform 68 includes an elongatedprotruding portion 88 that is sized to be received in the elongatedtrench 78 of the lug 66. As the at least one pin 84 and the pin 92 areintegral with the platform 68, the total part count is also reduced.

When assembling the fan 42, each of the fan blades 100 are firstinstalled in one of the slots 64. A locking ring (not shown) is thenadded to retain the fan blades 100 in position. The platforms 68 arethen installed. As shown in FIG. 4, when installing the platforms 68 onthe lug 66, the platform 68 is located over the lug 66 and then radiallylowered such that the elongated protruding portion 88 is received in theelongated trench 78, allowing the platform 68 to be located moreradially inward. This lowers the profile of the platform 68 relative tothe hub 62. The platform 68 is then slid axially aft such that the atleast one pin 84 of the forward flange 82 of the platform 68 and the pin92 protruding from and attached to the rear portion 98 of body portion126 of the platform 68 are received in the at least one aperture 72 andthe aperture 76, respectively, of the lug 66. The at least one pin 84and the pin 92 provide radial retention of the platforms 68.

In another example, as described below, a projection is substantiallyperpendicular to the forward flange 82 and extends from a bottom of theforward flange 82. The forward flange 82 and the projection wrap aroundthe forward flange 70 of the lug 66. In this example, the forward flange82 does not include the at least one pin 84. Alternately, the forwardflange 82 does not include either the projection or the pin 84, and thecontact of the forward flange 82 and the spinner 96 retains the platform68 in place.

As shown in FIG. 5, once the platforms 68 are installed, a nose cone orspinner 96 is attached to a forward end of the hub 62 to provide axialretention of the platforms 68. The forward flange 70 and the rear flange74 of the lug 66 also provide for axial retention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment lug 102. The lug 102 includes thesame features of the lug 66 of FIG. 2 except as described below. The lug102 includes a forward trench 104 and a rear trench 106 separated by aradially outwardly projecting lug 108. The radially outwardly projectinglug 108 includes an aperture 110. Additionally, the forward flange 70does not include the at least one aperture.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment platform 112. A projection 114that is substantially perpendicular to the forward flange 82 extendsfrom a bottom 116 of the forward flange 82. The forward flange 82 andthe projection 114 wrap around the forward flange 70 of the lug 102. Theforward flange 82 does not include the at least one pin.

In another example, as described above, the forward flange 82 does notinclude the projection 114, but instead includes at least one pinreceived in at least one aperture of the lug 102. Alternately, theforward flange 82 does not include either the projection 114 or the pin,and the contact of the forward flange 82 and the spinner 96 retains theplatform 112 in place.

The platform 112 also includes a pin 92 protruding from and integralwith a rear portion 98 of the body portion 126 of the platform 112. Theplatform 112 also includes a pin 124 located forward of the pin 92. Inone example, the pins 92 and 124 are made of metal. In another example,the pins 92 and 124 are a composite. The pins 92 and 124 can be moldedwith the platform 112 or secondarily bonded. If the pins 92 and 124 aremolded with the platform 112, the already manufactured pins 92 and 124are placed in a mold, and the platform 112 is co-molded with the pins 92and 124. However, the platform 112 and the pins 92 and 124 are integralto define a single component. The pins 92 and 124 are received in theaperture 76 of the rear flange 74 of the lug 102 and the aperture 110 ofthe radially outwardly projecting lug 108, respectively.

A radially inner surface 94 of the platform 112 includes a forwardelongated protruding portion 118 and a rear elongated protruding portion120 separated by a space 122. The forward elongated protruding portion118 and the rear elongated protruding portion 120 are each sized toallow the forward elongated protruding portion 118 and the rearelongated protruding portion 120 to be received in the forward trench104 and the rear trench 106 of the lug 102, respectively.

When assembling the fan 42, the fan blades 100 are first installed inone of the slots 64. A locking ring (not shown) is then added to retainthe fan blades 100 in position. The platforms 112 are then installed. Asshown in FIG. 8, when installing the platform 112 on the lug 102, theplatform 112 is located over the lug 102 and then radially lowered suchthat the forward elongated protruding portion 118 and a rear elongatedprotruding portion 120 of the platform 112 are received in the forwardtrench 104 and the rear trench 106, respectively, of the lug 102,allowing the platform 112 to be located more radially inward. Thislowers the profile of the platform 112 relative to the hub 62. Theradially outwardly projecting lug 108 is received in the space 122between the forward elongated protruding portion 118 and a rearelongated protruding portion 120. The platform 112 is then slid axiallyaft such that the pins 124 and 92 of the platform 112 are received inthe apertures 110 and 76, respectively, of the radially outwardlyprojecting lug 108 and the rear flange 74, respectively, of the lug 102.The pins 124 and 92 provide radial retention of the platforms 112.

As shown in FIG. 9, once the platform 112 is installed, a nose cone orspinner 96 is attached to a forward end of the hub 62 to provide axialretention of the platforms 112. The forward flange 70 and the rearflange 74 also provide forward axial retention.

Although a gas turbine engine 20 with geared architecture 48 isdescribed, the platforms 68 and 112 can be employed in a gas turbineengine without geared architecture.

The foregoing description is only exemplary of the principles of theinvention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within thescope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwisethan using the example embodiments which have been specificallydescribed. For that reason the following claims should be studied todetermine the true scope and content of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A platform for a fan of a gas turbine enginecomprising: a body portion; a forward flange at a front of the bodyportion including an engagement feature that interacts with a forwardflange of a lug of a hub of a fan of a gas turbine engine; and a pinintegral with a rear portion of the body portion, wherein the pin isreceivable in an aperture in a rear flange of the lug.
 2. The platformas recited in claim 1 wherein the platform is made of a graphic fiberepoxy composite.
 3. The platform as recited in claim 1 wherein theengagement feature of the forward flange is a pin integral with theforward flange.
 4. The platform as recited in claim 1 wherein theengagement feature of the forward flange is a projection that issubstantially perpendicular to the forward flange.
 5. The platform asrecited in claim 1 wherein the pin is made of metal.
 6. The platform asrecited in claim 1 wherein the pin and body portion are co-molded. 7.The platform as recited in claim 1 wherein the body portion of theplatform includes a radially inner surface including an elongatedprotruding portion that is receivable in an elongated trench on a radialouter surface of the lug, and the pin is integral with the elongatedprotruding portion.
 8. The platform as recited in claim 1 wherein thebody portion of the platform includes a radially inner surface includinga forward elongated protruding portion and a rear elongated protrudingportion separated by a space that are receivable in a forward elongatedtrench and a rear elongated trench, respectively, on a radially outersurface of the lug.
 9. The platform as recited in claim 8 wherein thepin is integral with the rear elongated protruding portion and ananother pin is integral with the forward elongated protruding portion,and the another pin is receivable in an aperture of a radially outwardlyprojecting lug located between the forward elongated trench and a rearelongated trench of the lug.
 10. A fan of a gas turbine enginecomprising: a hub including a plurality of slots and a plurality oflugs, wherein each of the plurality of lugs includes a forward flangeand a rear flange, and the rear flange includes an aperture; a pluralityof fan blades, wherein one of the plurality of fan blades is received ineach of the plurality of slots of the hub; and a plurality of platforms,wherein each of the plurality of platforms is attached to one of theplurality of lugs, and each of the plurality of platforms includes abody portion, a forward flange at a front of the body portion includingan engagement feature that interacts with the forward flange of one ofthe plurality of lugs, and a pin integral with a rear portion of thebody portion that is received in the aperture in the rear flange of theone of the plurality of lugs.
 11. The fan as recited in claim 10 whereinthe plurality of lugs are integral with the hub.
 12. The fan as recitedin claim 10 wherein the plurality of platforms are made of a graphicfiber epoxy composite.
 13. The fan as recited in claim 10 wherein theengagement feature of the forward flange of each of the plurality ofplatforms is a pin integral with the forward flange.
 14. The fan asrecited in claim 10 wherein the engagement feature of the forward flangeof each of the plurality of platforms is a projection that issubstantially perpendicular to the forward flange.
 15. The fan asrecited in claim 10 wherein the pin of each of the plurality ofplatforms is made of metal.
 16. The fan as recited in claim 10 whereinthe pin and the body portion of each of the plurality of platforms areco-molded.
 17. The fan as recited in claim 10 wherein each of theplurality of lugs includes a radial outer surface having an elongatedtrench and each of the plurality of platforms includes a radially innersurface having an elongated protruding portion that is receivable in theelongated trench, and the pin of each of the plurality of platforms isintegral with the elongated protruding portion.
 18. The fan as recitedin claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of lugs includes a radialouter surface having a front elongated trench and a rear elongatedtrench and each of the plurality of platforms includes a radially innersurface having a front elongated protruding portion and a rear elongatedprotruding portion separated by a space and that are received in thefront elongated trench and the rear elongated trench, respectively. 19.The fan as recited in claim 18 wherein each of the plurality ofplatforms includes another pin, and the pin of each of the plurality ofplatforms is integral with the rear elongated protruding portion and theanother pin is integral with the forward elongated protruding portion,and the another pin is received in an aperture of a radially outwardlyprojecting lug located between the forward elongated trench and the rearelongated trench of the lug and received in the space between frontelongated protruding portion and a rear elongated protruding portion.20. The fan as recited in claim 10 including a spinner attached to aforward end of the hub to axially retain the plurality of platforms.